Microbiologic investigation, quantification of endotoxin and antimicrobial susceptibility in primary endodontic infection and the salivary carriage of selected endodontic pathogens

Author(s)

Frederico Canato Martinho

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba
• Defense date: 2007-11-30

Examining board members

Brenda Paula Figueiredo de Almeida Gomes; Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins; Alexandre Augusto Záia

• Advisor: Brenda Paula Figueiredo de Almeida Gomes

Abstract

Bacteria and their by-products play an important role in the etiology and development of pulp and periapical diseases. The knowledge of endodontic microbiota and its susceptibility to endodontic therapy is important to a successful treatment. Therefore the aims of this study were: 1) to analyse the root canal microbiota in infected teeth with pulp necrosis and periapical lesions (C1) and its correlation with the clinical signs and symptoms; 2) to investigate the variations in the susceptibilities of endodontic microflora to biomechanical procedures (C2); 3) to investigate Candida spp., Enterococcus spp. and enterobacteria in saliva from the patients under endodontic therapy; 4) to quantify endotoxins before (C1) and after chemo-mechanical preparation (CMP) (C2); 5) to determine in vitro the antimicrobial susceptibility rates of the microrganisms recovered from the root canals with primary endodontic infections. Thirty root canals were microbiologically sampled before (C1) and after CMP (C2). At the baseline samples (C1), a total of 182 microrganisms were identified. Strict anaerobic or microphilic species predominated in 65.38%. P. micros (63.3%), P. intermedia (50%), S. mitis (30%) were the most frequent species recovered from the root canals at the baseline samples (C1). Associations between terderness to percussion and the presence of E. lentum; pain on palpation and G. haemolysans and E. lentum; sinus tract and P. micros; Purulent exudate and Bifidobacterium spp. (p<0.05) were found. Peptostreptococcus spp., Fusobacterium spp., Porphyromonas spp., Prevotella spp. were susceptible to amoxicilin and amoxicillin + clavulanate. Higher levels of endodotoxin were detected in teeth with clinical symtphomatology. A positive association was found between the presence of LPS and tenderness to percussion (p<0.01).It was concluded that microbiota from infected root canals with pulp necrosis and periapical lesions was comprised by a mixed and polimicrobial flora, dominated by strict anaerobes, particulary Gram-negative rods. Signs and symptoms seemed to be related to the presence of specific bacteria species Eubacterium lentum, Gemella haemolysans, Peptostreptococcus micros e Bifidobacterium spp.. Candida spp. and Enterococcus were more requently recovered from saliva than Enterobacteria spp. Isolation of C. albicans and E. faecalis from root canals were associated with their identification in the saliva samples. CMP was efficient in reducing the number of microorganisms. Changing in root canal flora was detected after endodontic procedures. Amoxicilin associated with clavulanate was an effective and a strong antimicrobial agent against microorganisms involved in endodontic infections. High contents of LPS seem to be related to the presence of clinical symptomatology, particulary tenderness to percussion. CMP was effective in reducing the initial amount of endotoxin in all root canal samplings but was not able to eliminate it (AU)